Pronounced (approximate): ly-AT-riss sil-in-DRAY-see-ah
Pink-purple flower heads sit above long cylindrical cups of bracts. Narrow leaves become smaller toward the top of the stem.
Cylindrical Blazing Star (Liatris cylindracea): flower heads with cylindrical bracts. Tap the photo to open the gallery.
Family Asteraceae
Life cycle Herbaceous perennial
Blooms Mid–late summer
Height About 1–2 feet
Habitat Dry prairies, rocky glades, bluffs, and open savannas
Common names
Cylindrical Blazing Star · Cylindrical Blazingstar · Dwarf Blazing Star · Barrelhead Blazing Star · Ontario Blazing Star
Bloom timing and height vary with location. Native status refers to North America; see the regional range below.
Explore reported observations. Sightings are not a complete range map.
Dry prairies, rocky glades, bluffs, and open savannas. Flowering season: mid–late summer.
Photograph the green bracts beneath the flower heads when comparing blazing stars. The smooth, elongated cylindrical head bases are more useful than flower color alone.
Pink-purple flower heads sit above long cylindrical cups of bracts.
The plant usually has a short cluster of heads rather than a tall dense spike.
Look for herbaceous perennial growth in dry prairies, rocky glades, bluffs, and open savannas. Pair close views with a photograph of the whole plant.
12 field photographs. Select a photograph to enlarge it; use Load more photos to see the rest.
Central and eastern North America, especially the Midwest and Great Lakes region.
Reported U.S. native distribution
AL, AR, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, NY, OH, OK, TN, WI
State records describe documented distribution, not presence in every county. The observation map shows reported sightings and may include cultivated plants.
Observation maps show submitted records, not every place the plant occurs. Follow local access rules when visiting a site.
Practice recognizing Cylindrical Blazing Star in the flower quiz, or compare it with other plants in the guide.
Field photographs: Where’s Wildlife.